With little over three weeks in the NBA season, the playoff races are really heating up in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. Some teams continue to defy preseason expectations at NBA betting apps, while others have disappointed and are all but out of contention.

Despite one of the worst road records in the Association, the Golden State Warriors have clawed their way out of the play-in places and are looking up in the West. They are no longer one of the favorites to win it all with US betting apps, but with Stephen Curry on the roster, they will always be dangerous.

The Phoenix Suns jumped up in the odds at USA sports betting sites with their trade deadline acquisition of Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets. When he has been healthy, the Suns have been a problem. But he’s on the sidelines again and will need to get right for the playoffs.

The current favorites on NBA betting sites are the 2020 NBA champions, the Milwaukee Bucks. Inspired by Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have been on a remarkable run that has seen them go 21-3 in their last 24. They have usurped the Boston Celtics at the top of the East and have the best record in the NBA. 

The Denver Nuggets have led the West for much of the season but are somewhat stumbling to the finish line to allow some of their other rivals like the surprising Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies catch up in the standings. 

The race for a play-in spot is fierce in both conferences. It seems inconceivable that the Los Angeles Lakers with LeBron James and Anthony Davis won’t make the playoffs, but they have been behind the eight-ball all season long. Their trade deadline acquisitions appear to have improved them, but will they have enough? The return of Zion Williamson can’t come soon enough for the New Orleans Pelicans as they have drifted outside the play-in places in his absence. Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls are on the outside looking in at the last play-in spot in the East.

Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors and LA Clippers Among 22-23 Preseason Favorites

While the market is always subject to change as the regular season goes on, there are early favorites with betting apps in the preseason.

Last season’s beaten finalists, the Boston Celtics, have been seen as the early team to beat in the league. They produced a great, and somewhat unexpected, run to the final in the 2022 NBA Finals and perhaps they are capable of going one better in the not-too-distant future.

However, some betting customers will instead look to wager on a team with a more solid track record, and none have a better one than the Golden State Warriors. There is perhaps no stronger NBA lineup than the starting five for the Warriors. Between 2015-2022, the Warriors have reached the NBA Finals on six separate occasions winning four championships, including this past season.

The LA Clippers are well respected in the NBA Futures betting market, although they have never been to the NBA Finals. The return of Kawhi Leonard makes them top of the NBA picks for many people this season. The Milwaukee Bucks were crowned the 2021 champions, which rightfully makes Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. one of the favorites.

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Eastern Conference 2023

Fractional Decimal American

Best Odds

$1,000

$1,500

$150

$150

Celtics

--

2/7

1.29

-350

5/18

1.28

-360

10/47

1.21

-470

Knicks

--

13/4

4.25

+325

17/5

4.40

+340

19/5

4.80

+380

Pacers

--

20/1

21.00

+2000

20/1

21.00

+2000

27/1

28.00

+2700

Cavaliers

--

66/1

67.00

+6600

70/1

71.00

+7000

110/1

111.00

+11000

Teams Best Odds

Celtics

See Less See All Odds

2/7

1.29

-350

Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses
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Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NY, NV, or Puerto Rico.

2/7

1.29

-350

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5/18

1.28

-360

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins

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10/47

1.21

-470

Knicks

See Less See All Odds

19/5

4.80

+380

Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses
Promo Code: BOOKIES

Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NY, NV, or Puerto Rico.

13/4

4.25

+325

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets + No Sweat NBA SGP Every Day Of The Playoffs

Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.

17/5

4.40

+340

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins

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19/5

4.80

+380

Pacers

See Less See All Odds

27/1

28.00

+2700

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Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NY, NV, or Puerto Rico.

20/1

21.00

+2000

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20/1

21.00

+2000

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27/1

28.00

+2700

Cavaliers

See Less See All Odds

110/1

111.00

+11000

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66/1

67.00

+6600

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70/1

71.00

+7000

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins

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110/1

111.00

+11000

Close X

$1,000 First Bet on Caesars

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Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.

Close X

Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses
Promo Code: BOOKIES

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NBA Championship Winner Betting Trends

Despite the dominance of Golden State over the past few years, they have only won one of the past four NBA Finals. Indeed, there is evidence to suggest their monopoly in the National Basketball Association is coming to a close, with several other teams catching up with them.

We saw the Toronto Raptors win it all in 2019, and LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers beat Miami Heat to the crown in 2020. The Milwaukee Bucks were then able to secure a victory the season after with a 4-2 win over the Phoenix Suns in the Finals.

Western Conference 2023

Fractional Decimal American

Best Odds

$1,000

$1,500

$150

$150

Timberwolves

--

20/21

1.95

-105

1/1

2.00

+100

20/23

1.87

-115

Thunder

--

11/5

3.20

+220

2/1

3.00

+200

21/10

3.10

+210

Mavericks

--

6/1

7.00

+600

6/1

7.00

+600

6/1

7.00

+600

Nuggets

--

15/2

8.50

+750

13/2

7.50

+650

8/1

9.00

+800

Teams Best Odds

Timberwolves

See Less See All Odds

1/1

2.00

+100

Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses
Promo Code: BOOKIES

Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NY, NV, or Puerto Rico.

20/21

1.95

-105

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1/1

2.00

+100

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins

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20/23

1.87

-115

Thunder

See Less See All Odds

11/5

3.20

+220

Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses
Promo Code: BOOKIES

Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NY, NV, or Puerto Rico.

11/5

3.20

+220

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets + No Sweat NBA SGP Every Day Of The Playoffs

Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.

2/1

3.00

+200

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins

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21/10

3.10

+210

Mavericks

See Less See All Odds

6/1

7.00

+600

Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses
Promo Code: BOOKIES

Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NY, NV, or Puerto Rico.

6/1

7.00

+600

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Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.

6/1

7.00

+600

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6/1

7.00

+600

Nuggets

See Less See All Odds

8/1

9.00

+800

Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses
Promo Code: BOOKIES

Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NY, NV, or Puerto Rico.

15/2

8.50

+750

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets + No Sweat NBA SGP Every Day Of The Playoffs

Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.

13/2

7.50

+650

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins

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8/1

9.00

+800

Close X

$1,000 First Bet on Caesars

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Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.

Close X

Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Loses
Promo Code: BOOKIES

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Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NY, NV, or Puerto Rico.

Close X

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets + No Sweat NBA SGP Every Day Of The Playoffs

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Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.

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Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins

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How to Back Winners on the NBA Championship Winner Market

The first port of call is to identify the teams that are going to win the Eastern Conference and Western Conference respectively. It might be that you have a strong fancy for one of these sections, but you have to weigh up the relative strengths and weaknesses of the conference as there might be a tough route through to the NBA Finals due to other strong teams.

There are two simple choices on the eve of an NBA basketball season. You can either gather up the evidence of previous campaigns, the NBA draft and free agency to make a decision on who is going to prosper based on these results. Alternatively, there is the opportunity to wait until the regular season gets under way to assess the relative performances of each club before using any free bets on the team of your choice.